Bowling preview: 2013 state-ranked Tigers aren't slowing down

<p>SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS Members of the Martin County High School girls bowling team cheer on Christina Perez after making a strike in the finals of the 2013 FHSAA Bowling Championships on Nov. 7, 2013 in Orlando. The Tigers' ultimately fell to Oviedo High School and finished second in the state.</p>

The Martin County High School girls bowling team remains the model of recent success on the Treasure Coast, and there is no reason to think that will end any time soon.

The Tigers, who have finished in the top three at state each of the past four years, are coming off a runner-up finish in 2013 and expect to continue their district dominance and make another run at a state title.

However, they will do so without three-time All-Area Bowler of the Year Shelly Goodwin, who graduated.

Meanwhile, St. Lucie West Centennial’s boys team still is hyped from its first ever district title last year and has only one bowler to replace. The Eagles should remain a team to beat, but Lincoln Park Academy and Martin County aren’t far behind after both just came up short at districts last year.

Four to watch

Emily Callari, Martin County senior

Kristi Carpenter, Fort Pierce Central junior

Matt Geary, St. Lucie West Centennial senior

Kenneth Merrick, Lincoln Park Academy sophomore

All-Area returners

Boys

Angelo Bonadeo, Martin County

Brian Chapman, Okeechobee

Andrew Conte, Lincoln Park Academy

Kenny Garcia, Treasure Coast

Matt Geary, St. Lucie West Centennial

Phil Haley, St. Lucie West Centennial

Trevor Maine, Martin County

Corey Snyder, South Fork

Girls

Kristi Carpenter, Fort Pierce Central

Alondra Gonzalez, St. Lucie West Centennial

Amanda Hart, St. Lucie West Centennial

Devon Metcalf, Martin County

Jessica Olney, Okeechobee

Emilie Passanante, Lincoln Park Academy

Gabby Smith, St. Lucie West Centennial

Jordan Weigers, South Fork

Three teams to watch

Lincoln Park Academy: With a solid core returning to both squads, the Greyhounds should be strong. The girls team, led by Emilie Passanante and Alisa Passanante, is looking to improve on an 8-3 season that ended with a third-place finish at districts. The boys are coming off an 8-6 record and fourth-place standing at districts, where returners Kenneth Merrick and Andrew Conte both finished in the top five individually.

Martin County: The Tigers boys and girls teams both return several talented players. The 2013 state runner-up girls have to replace Shelly Goodwin and Christina Perez, but juniors Emily Callari, Devon Metcalf and Kassidy Daniels return. The boys were disappointed after failing to make it out of districts but return four of their top five players in Angelo Bonadeo, Trevor Maine, Jake Corcoran and Roman Pedatella, plus add South Fork transfer Jacob Newman.

St. Lucie West Centennial: The boys team is coming off its first district title season and should remain competitive with all but one bowler back from a squad that finished 10th at state. Among those returning is 2013 All-Area Bowler of the Year Matt Geary. The girls team is seeking its first state appearance since 2010 and returns two players that qualified individually last year — Gabby Smith and Amanda Hart.

Who’s the team to beat? The Centennial boys and Martin County girls won titles last year and remain the top teams to beat, along with the runner-up squads from Sebring.

Key dates

Districts: Oct. 27-29

State finals: Nov. 5-6 at Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando

Quotable

“I still think there’s a lot of depth that we could quite possibly take it all the way. We have enough composure with kids that have been down this road three times already, and that will play big on our side. They are aware what it takes to compete at that level, and I don’t think it will be any problem.” — Martin County coach Tom Baral, about the outlook for his girls’ team coming off a runner-up finish at state.

“With one bowler to replace, the team believing in each other and practicing correctly every day is the key to another trip to states. It will be hard to repeat, but it will be the team goal.” — St. Lucie West Centennial coach Duke Schneider, about the outlook for his boys’ team coming off a state tournament appearance.